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Michaela Walsh wins bronze in Glasgow

The Belfast girl is the first Irish female boxer to win a Commonwealth Games medal

Northern Ireland’s Michaela Walsh became the first female Irish boxer to win a medal at the Commonwealth games when she garunteed bronze after beating Jamaica’s Sara Joy Ray. Photograph: Tim Ireland/PA

Walsh won her quarterfinal flyweight content 3-0 with all judges unanimously marking her the winner in each of the four two minute rounds.

Walsh, who dropped from her normal weight of 54 kilos to make the 51 kilo limit, was entirely in control throughout the eight minutes, her superior footwork and fast hand scoring at will.

While the opening round was cautious, the judges marked it 10-9 in the Belfast girl’s favour. From there Walsh continuouslyimproved, scoring at will and keeping her distance from the taller opponent until the fourth round when she was almost toying with Rae.

“I din’t know nothing about her,” she said after the fight. “I’d a slow start. I’m happy with my performance and happy to have again made history by being the first (Irish) medallist.

Indeed, it’s one of the few firsts Katie Taylor does not have as she does not compete in the Commonwealth Games. But the win ensures Walsh a place in the semifinals and a certain bronze medal.

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